FC Cincinnati 2 fell to Toronto FC II, 2-1, at York Lions Stadium in Toronto, Canada Friday night in Matchweek 27 of the MLS NEXT Pro season.
The Orange and Blue scored the opening goal of the match in the 15th minute, a strike inside the box from forward Cheikhou Niang. Stefan Chirila drew contact inside the penalty area after receiving a pass in from Ademar Chávez. No foul was called, but Niang was first to take possession and blasted one home from close range. The goal is Niang’s sixth of the year.
Toronto would respond quickly, drawing the match level in the 20th minute through Damar Dixon. A 1-1 split was broken open early in the second half by the Young Reds’ Bryce Boneau in the 49th minute. Boneau’s goal would ultimately prove the match winner.
FC Cincinnati Academy defender Oli Beabout made his MLS NEXT Pro debut against Toronto, coming on late in the match as the Orange and Blue looked for a stoppage time equalizer. Beabout becomes the 13th academy player to debut for FC Cincinnati 2 this season.
Four other academy players picked up starts in the match, including Dom Lester’s first career start for the Orange and Blue. Connor Dale made his sixth appearance of the year in goal and made eight saves, a career high for saves in a match, to keep it a one goal game.
FC Cincinnati 2 play their last road match of the season on Sunday, September 13 against Red Bull New York II at MSU Soccer Park. Kickoff from Montclair, New Jersey is set for 7 p.m. ET with the match airing live on OneFootball platforms and on MLSNEXTPro.com.
FC CINCINNATI 2 GAME REPORT
FC Cincinnati 2 at Toronto FC II
Date: September 4, 2026
Competition: MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season
Venue: York Lions Stadium | Toronto, Canada
Kickoff: 7:03 p.m. ET
Weather: 73 degrees, cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-FT
TOR: 1-1-2
CIN: 1-0-1
TOR – Damar Dixon 20’, Bryce Boneau (Stojadinovic) 49’
CIN – Cheikhou Niang (S. Chirila) 15’
LINEUPS
TOR: Adisa De Rosario, Stefan Kapor (Micah Chisholm 72’), Reid Fisher, Lazar Stefanovic (Gabriel Mikina 46’), Marko Stojadinovic, Abundance Salaou (Daniel Stampatori 71’), Bryce Boneau (C), Lucas Dawson (Elias Khodri 72’), Damar Dixon, Jahmarie Nolan, Malik Henry (Fletcher Bank 60’)
Substitutes not used: Zakaria Nakhly, Diego Nue-Brito, Trisan Blyth, Dekwon Barrow
Head Coach: Gianni Cimini
CIN: Connor Dale, Félix Samson (C), Sami Lachekar, LJ Born (Oli Beabout 90’+1), Ademar Chávez (Jack Mize 79’), Leo Orejarena, Camden Sphire (Yair Ramos 75’), Dom Lester, Stefan Chirila, Cheikhou Niang (Mathias Vazquez 79’), Deiver Mosquera (Nathan Gray 75’)
Substitutes not used: David Paz
Head Coach: Sammy Castellanos
STATS SUMMARY: TOR/CIN
Shots: 16/10
Shots on Goal: 10/2
Saves: 1/8
Corner Kicks: 6/1
Fouls: 7/12
Offside: 0/1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
TOR: Lucas Dawson (Yellow Card) 18’
CIN: Camden Sphire (Yellow Card) 68’
OFFICIALS
Referee: Nicolas Melita
Ast. Referees: Josue Tomas, Anton Hadzhiyski
Fourth Official: Melvin Christopher
